After dropping their first two games of the season at home and losing starting QB Justin Fields to a concussion, the Jets (0-2) know they'll be in good hands when they battle the Buccaneers (2-0) Sunday in Tampa. Veteran backup Tyrod Taylor, who went 7-of-11 passing for 56 yards and 1 TD in relief action against the Bills last Sunday, will make his first start with the Green & White.

"He's confident," said CB Sauce Gardner of Taylor. "He's confident for sure like I said. He's a baller. Like we be calling him Hooper, when gets on the field, he be hooping. Like find a way to march the offense up and down the field."

'This Week Is Unique'
In limited action with the Jets the past two seasons, Taylor has excelled. While connecting on 72.7% of his passes, Taylor, has led the Jets to 4 TDs in 5 series over three game appearances in 2024-25. The difference this week is Taylor was the quarterback receiving the first-team reps at practice.

"Obviously, that helps when it comes to just getting on the same page with the guys, speaking the same verbiage, and having an idea of what I'm thinking on certain plays," he said. "That's the reality this week, but I would say that even in other weeks, I still communicate with those guys a lot. Obviously, I'm seen as one of the older guys on the team, so whether I'm QB1, QB2, or anything, guys always come and converse with me and try to pump ideas off, but this week is unique in itself. I get a chance to actually spend that time on task with those guys on the field and getting on the same page."

Taylor, 36, is the second-oldest player on a young roster that has only four players of 30-plus years. He'll look to establish an early rhythm against the Bucs with an offense that was limited to 83 yards passing and didn't convert a third down last week against the Bills.

"Being balanced," he said is one of the keys. "Obviously, our first game on the road, great communication up front, ball out from a quarterback perspective, let guys catch and run, and just stay composed and poised under pressure. We know they're an aggressive defense, but we have to continue to be balanced in our attack and continue to establish our DNA."

'The Volume of Pressure'
No matter the opposition quarterback, Tampa HC/DC Todd Bowles likes to bring extra rushers early and often.

"I think that's just their makeup," Tyrod Taylor said. "I think you have to go into that game expecting pressure because that's just the DNA of their team. We have already started to put a plan together for that, and it's up to us to go out there and execute it on Sunday."

OC Tanner Engstrand added: "It's a lot more concentrated. There is just more of it and he does a great job of looking at what your protection plan is and then how can he use his blitz package to attempt to attack your protection plan. Really, it's the volume of pressure and then how he tries to deploy that to attack your protection."

On the other side of the ball, the Jets defensive front will face a Buccaneers O-line that hasn't had the services of All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs (knee), and lost both RT Luke Goedeke and RG Cody Mauch to injuries in Tampa's Monday night win over the Texans. While the Jets may be without edge Jermaine Johnson (ankle), they'll try to set the tone with a group that features edge Will McDonald IV plus a diverse and talented interior group that includes Quinnen Williams, Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs.

"We got to go out there and execute and the weather is not going to be an issue for us," said defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. "We do love the rotation upfront. Jowon has been a major plus for us, as well as Harrison. So, those guys continue to play consistently well up front, being able to give Q ([Quinnen Williams]) that ability not always to get double-teamed. So, I like those guys and what they're doing."

While the Bucs continue to shuffle their OL pieces, QB Baker Mayfield has played mistake-free ball with 5 TDs and 0 INTs and will enter the home opener after orchestrating two game-winning drives, in Atlanta and in Houston.

"He presents a lot of problems," said Sauce Gardner, who will likely be asked to cover future Hall of Famer Mike Evans. "He's very decisive, he trusts his receivers, and I was watching the game ([Tampa's 20-19 win over the Texans]) -- he can do it with his legs too. He's like a savvy quarterback, savvy player for sure. And he's more athletic than I think people give him credit for."

'A Ton of Respect'
Tyrod Taylor, who has played with seven NFL teams, and Baker Mayfield, who has experienced a career breakthrough in Tampa, were teammates with the Browns in 2018. Taylor started the Browns' first three games while Mayfield, the No. 1 overall selection, waited his turn. Coincidentally, Todd Bowles was the HC of the Jets when a Jordan Jenkins sack of Taylor sent him into the concussion protocol and Mayfield led the Browns back to a 21-17 win over the Jets on Sept. 20, 2018. Seven years and one day later, all three men will be key participants again as the Jets look to secure their first win and prevent the Buccaneers from their first 3-0 start since 2005.

"He's an awesome guy," Mayfield said of Taylor. "Really good leader. Veteran presence that was instrumental for me in the midst of a chaotic first year in Cleveland. Somebody I relied on a lot. A ton of respect for him just the way he is able to command and operate."

Taylor (aka The Hooper) will take command once more in Tampa and the consummate pro is prepared for whatever the Pewter Pirates will throw his way

"I mean Tyrod has been playing this game for a minute," Gardner said. "We always go against him in practice, so we know he is more than capable of getting the job done. We're not thinking like no drop-off, that's not our mentality. The coaches believe in Tyrod. Us, as players, we believe in Tyrod and we know he's a confident guy, person, confident player."